Dental tool for expressing mercury from amalgam.



No. 643,443. Patented Feb. l3, I900.

- D. AIKEN.

DENTAL TOOL FDR EXPBESSING MERCURY FROM AMALGAH.

(Application filed Oct. 19.1899.

(0 Model.)

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ATTORNEY,

mi Nonms PETERS co. wuo'roumo. WASHINGTON. 17. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID AIKEN, OF WINNSBOROUGH, SOUTH CAROLINA.

DENTAL TOOL FOR EXPRESSING MERCURY FROM AMALGAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 643,443, dated February 13, 1900.

Application filed October 19, 1899. Serial No. 734,115. (No model.)

To all 1071,0121. it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID AIKEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Winnsborough, in the county of Fairfield and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Dental Tools for Expressing Mercury from Amalgam, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved device for extracting or compressing the excess of mercury or quicksilver from amalgam.

In the art of dentistry it is the custom in applying the mercury or quicksilver to the alloy to combine the same to use the hand for pressing the excess of mercury from the same.

The object of the present invention is to perform mechanically What has heretofore been done by hand.

In the drawings forming a part of my invention, and in which like symbols of reference represent corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my inventionin its operative position. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same with the piston or plunger in its retracted position, and Fig. 3 is a perspective of the same partially broken away. 7

The numeral 1 represents the device; 2 and 3, the members composing the same; 4., the plunger or piston, provided with a hinged head 5, and 6 a hinge connecting the plunger or piston rod 4 to the member 3.

'7 is a tube to receive the amalgam and within which the plunger works for pressing the same, and 8 is a movable base-piece upon which the material is compressed, the excess of mercury passing out around the sides of the tube 7 at the point marked 10. This basepiece 8 is pivoted at 11 to one arm of the device. 12 is the usual spring employed in articles of this construction.

The operation of my device is as follows: The invention is turned in its inverted position, or that shown in Fig. 3. The amalgam is placed in the tube 7. The device is then turned in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the handles operated. As the plunger-head 5 descends upon and compresses the material the excess of mercury passes out upon the basepiece 8 around the sides of the tube 7. The pivoted base-piece 8 is then swung in the position shown in Fig. 3, and by a second operation of the handles the plunger is again operated and the pellet of amalgam drops into the hand of the operator. Thus not only is a great saving of time eifected, but the operation is much more effectual and satisfactory.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a dental tool, a receptacle for the material, means for compressing the same, a base-piece, and openings at the lower end of the receptacle to permit the mercury to escape.

2. In a dental tool, a receptacle for the material, a plunger operating in the same, means to actuate the plunger, and a movable basepiece to retain the material in the receptacle but permit the mercury to escape.

3. In a dental tool, a receptacle for amalgam or the like, a hinged plunger operating in the same, pivoted levers for operating the plunger, and a movable base-piece adapted to retain the amalgam but permit the escape of the mercury.

t. In a dental tool, a receptacle for amalgam or the like, a plunger operating in the same, an opening to permit escape of mercury means for operating the plunger, a basepiece to retain the amalgam, and apivot upon which said base-piece may be swung away from the receptacle.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID AIKEN.

Witnesses:

CHAS. A. DOUGLASS, E. S. DOUGLASS. 

